Secret Agent

About

From 1968 to 1979 Tony Allen was the drummer and musical director of Africa 70, the band behind Féla Kuti, who once stated that Allen played like four drummers at once and that without him there would be no Afrobeat. Brian Eno even describes Allen as "...perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived." 2009's <i>Secret Agent</i> finds Allen playing some of his best percussion and drumming to date, even at the ripened age of 69. The title track opens with ‘70s wah-wah guitar leading into laid-back rhythms that persist under jazzy six-string licks, Allen cooing coolly before making way for a layered brass section with a backing quintet of female singers. "Celebrate" begins with what sounds like an old Wurlitzer keyboard laying down the path before festive horns and Allen's drums come in playing with a sleepy strut that nicely contrasts relaxed rhythms with patterns that prove to be quite complex—but only if you home in and take notice. "Pariwo" provides political awareness alongside a stone groove, though it's "Elewon Po" that perfectly bookends the album with sunny Afrocentric funk and Allen's mellow vocals working their way in like a warm breeze.

via Apple Music